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2008 Odds to Win Pac 10 Football

Written by Jimmy Boyd

Pete Carroll has his Trojans rocked and ready to roll to another Pac-10 title. Past USC seemed to have been recognized for their talented offenses. However, look for the 2008 team to have the best defense in the nation. With the combination of a great defense and an offense full of speed, look for USC to dominate the Pac-10 and win this football conference.

The 2007 Trojans allowed just 19 points per game and a little of 270 total yards per game. Both are outstanding numbers and look for them to only get better. Pete Carroll, along with college football experts, feels this USC defense could be the best ever. It is full of athleticism, speed and hard hitters.

The defensive line returns two starts from last year, but everyone upfront has a ton of game experience. Freshman All-American Everson Griffin and Kyle more with have the defensive end duties. Look for this two to get a ton of pressure on quarterback, as they should combine for over 15 sacks. Fili Moala and Averell Spicer will take the starting spots at tackle. These two should not only be able to clog the middle, but look for them to get pressure on quarterbacks as well. USC has tons of depth on the defensive line, so look for Clay Matthews, Christian Tupou and Derek Simmons to provide tons of depth. This team will not miss a beat no matter who is in the game. Look for every player to still be fresh come the fourth quarter, which will be a huge advantage in big games.

The Trojans’ line backing core is easily one of the best, if not the best, in the entire country. Rey Maualuga will lead things at the middle linebacker position. Rey Maualuga has received many preseason awards and look for him to back it up on the field. In 2007 he recorded 10.5 tackles for loss and recorded six sacks from the linebacker position. Rose Bowl MVP Brian Cushing will return as the strong-side linebacker. Cushing will look to put up huge numbers now that he will be a full-time starter. Either Luther Brown or Kaluka Maiava will start at the weak-side position. None of the Trojans’ linebackers will put up huge tackle numbers, but that’s due to the fact that they will rotate so many different players. Look for Michael Morgan and Chris Galippo to see a lot of playing time in 2008. USC is very deep at linebacker and look for them to be the best in the country.

As good as the line and linebackers are the secondary is the best part of the defense. Carroll believes this is easily the best secondary is has ever coached and expects huge things from them. The Trojans’ might have the nation’s best safety tandem in Taylor Mays and Kevin Ellison. Both are great coverage safeties but neither is afraid to step up and make a big hit. These two will be all over the field causing chaos for opposing offenses. Carry Harris returns at the cornerback position and is considered one of the best in the Pac-10. Joining him on the other side will be Shareece Wright who looks to do big things in his first year as a starting corner. Josh Pinkard, Marshall Jones, William Harris and Kevin Thomas will provide great depth to this secondary. Look for this secondary to avoid giving up big plays and force a ton of turnovers.

Switching over the offensive side of things, depth continues to be a common occurrence. USC features amazing depth at the running back position and they will look to put up huge numbers. Joe McKnight, Stafon Johnson and C.J. Gable look to share the running back duties. Each running back has the ability to put up over 1,000 yards and double-digit touches, but that will be unlikely considering they will all share carries. While it is still uncertain on how Carroll will split the carries it does look like Joe McKnight will be the starter. McKnight drew Reggie Bush comparisons after his performance in the final two games of the 2007 season. In those final two games McKnight rushed for 214 yards on just 23 carries. He also has shown that he is a great pass catcher so look for him to be involved in the passing game. Gable and Johnson will provide serious depth at the position and look for them to be fresh when opposing defenses are dead tired.

Vidal Hazleton and Patrick Turner return as the top two wide outs for the Trojans. Look for these two to put up much improved numbers in 2008. They have worked extremely hard with quarterback Mark Sanchez in the off season. Joining Turner and Hazleton will be Damian Williams and Arkansas transfer Ronald Johnson. These four should be huge threats and teams will not be able to focus on one over the other.

Mark Sanchez takes over at quarterback. Many say Sanchez will actually perform better than John David Booty. Sanchez is a very smart player and has amazing arm strength. Look for him to emerge as one of the top quarterbacks in the country.

USC has Oregon, Arizona State and California all at home. Road games at Oregon State and UCLA could be tough tests, but look for the Trojans to once again dominate Pac-10 play. With great depth up and down the roster USC will once again win the Pac-10.

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